Strength and Honor Are Her Clothing - Revisited and Updated

Jeepers, it's been almost two years since I originally wrote/posted this...but I was thinking about eagles today and was looking for something that I had written about them in the past...and rediscovered this post not only about eagles, but about my favorite flannel shirt...Yes...it is still my favorite...just haven't had a chance to wear it YET this fall...but we hear tell that cooler weather is on its way perhaps even tonight...so I need to go find it and get it ready to wear!!  Meanwhile...get a cup of tea (or coffee), pull up a rocking chair on the porch, and let's just visit a while.  Fall/winter is our porch time here in Florida...I can hardly wait!!!  I hope wherever you are that you are having a blessed and beautiful day...

"Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come."

Proverbs 31:25 NKJV

Original Post 1/27/2016

It seems like I just read this verse not long ago...oh, yes! I did! And I even wrote about it:

(Click HERE for THAT story)...but my emphasis was a little different. Today instead of the "she shall rejoice in the time to come" portion of the verse, I am thinking more about the "strength and honor are her clothing" section.  Why? Well, maybe because I got a new flannel shirt today and I wanted to show it off.  (That's true, but that's kind of a silly thing to write about, don't you think?)

I did actually get this new flannel shirt today. I don't know why that has evoked such sentiment and drama for me...but it has.  

You see, when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told him I really wanted a nice soft, cozy flannel shirt to wear around the house.  He didn't take me seriously and didn't realize that I truly wanted a flannel shirt for Christmas! So, needless to say, I didn't get one. Now here it is a month later, and I told him today when we went shopping at Walmart that I was going to buy myself a flannel shirt if they still had any. I looked first in the women's department, but didn't see what I wanted there, so I headed to the men's department, and lo! and behold! They had flannel shirts on sale!  I had to shuffle through the stacks to find one that would fit me in the color I wanted, and finally found the one and only one left.  I grabbed it and put it in my buggy before someone else came along and got it first!

When we returned home the first thing I did was pull off all the stickers and labels and put it in the wash so it could get washed and dried and ready to wear as soon as possible. This was such a special moment I asked my husband to take my picture in it.  I think he's still scratching his head over how I could be so thrilled over a simple thing like a flannel shirt.  Maybe next year he'll listen to me when I tell him what I want for Christmas!  

But this post isn't really about my new flannel shirt or getting what I want for Christmas. It's about Strength and Honor...the clothing of the "Proverbs 31" woman...that marvelous, amazing, blessed, strong, intelligent, faithful, godly woman that we all would love to be, but doubt we'll ever reach her level of "perfection".  Reaching a level of perfection in this life is not really my goal, and probably isn't yours either. We are just striving to make it through life one day at a time, dealing with whatever stresses or sorrows or unexpected issues that come our way and making it safely to the other side. 

I like what God said to the children of Israel in Isaiah 40:31~

"But those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

And again in Isaiah 30:15, God tells us:

"In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence 

shall be your strength."

Further in Isaiah 30:18...

"Therefore the Lord will wait,

that He may be GRACIOUS to you;

And therefore He will be exalted, 

that He may have mercy on you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

Blessed are all those who wait for Him."

I love these thoughts today...my strength comes from the Lord...

He has clothed me with His strength, 

His GRACE, 

His love, 

His mercy, 

His honor.

Sometimes we have to wait on the Lord for the best gifts to arrive...like my new flannel shirt.  

If I had received this new shirt on Christmas day I doubt that I would have thought so much about its significance. I might have missed this special deeper gift that God wanted to give me today.  I am glad that He waited to show me the hidden message of being blessed by waiting on Him.

Oh, by the way...did you see that magnificent picture of that eagle above?  That was another special "gift" from the Lord this past week.  Last weekend we had traveled on that same road and saw that gorgeous eagle perched high on that same tree. The problem was I had forgotten to take my camera along that day. Needless to say, I was quite frustrated with my lack of foresight.  Living in a national forest you would think I would have learned to always be prepared with a camera to capture pictures of whatever might happen to appear. Yeah, well...lesson learned.  So, a few days later we planned to travel back on that same route again.  This time I went prepared with camera in hand.  Sure enough as we approached the exact same area and tree, there he was!

That marvelous creature was perched and waiting for me as if to say, "what took you so long?".  I made my husband pull over and stop the car and I jumped out and started snapping pictures as fast as I could, fearing that the eagle would suddenly take off in flight and I would miss my opportunity again.  Thankfully he seemed to be quite content to stay right there and let me take as many pictures as my anxious to get going husband would allow....

Dear Friend...What are YOU wearing today?  Are you clothed in the strength and honor of the Lord? Are you waiting on HIM to show you His plan, His will, His love and strength and grace for your situation?  Oftentimes the best gifts of all come to us as we wait on the Lord.  Yes,

"Blessed are all those who wait for Him."

POST SCRIPT 10/24/17:  After "revisiting" and posting this earlier today I wanted to add an update on our vehicle situation. So many of you had been praying regarding our search for a "new" vehicle to replace the old car that was towed away a couple of weeks ago.  (More about THAT HERE) Well, after a long and frustrating search, I am so happy to report that today we found the "perfect" "new" (1997) Ford F150 Pickup Truck...Yes, that's right...this vehicle is for our son, who needs it for work, and it's a long story, but we are so thankful that after several disappointments God directed us to this truck...perfect for what he needs and in the price range we had pre-determined...

 So, thank you for your prayers...and I must say again:

           "Blessed are all those who wait for Him."  Amen!!

Happy Reflections

I entitled this post "Happy Reflections", because I want to reflect on happy times and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness to us!  I regret that I totally forgot about taking pictures this past weekend when we had a family/friends gathering here at our house! I must be slipping! As I sit here and reflect back over the past few days, it makes me want to take notes and try to paint word pictures for the moments I want to remember!

This was one of the highlights of our "celebration"...Yes, a celebration of sorts...celebrating good friends, new friends, old friends, "old" family and possibility of "new" family...Anyway....stop going into so much detail Pam, and without further ado...we had sweet corn on the cob!  Now, how many of you out there just love sweet corn on the cob?  Especially when it is really fresh, really sweet, and really good!!

I do wish I had thought to take a picture of one of our newer friends, Leon, who hails from Nebraska. As soon as he heard that we had sweet corn that needed to be shucked, he quickly volunteered saying, "Let me shuck the corn...after all, I'm a "Nebraska Cornhusker!"  And he proceeded to do an expert job of shucking that corn out on the front porch while visiting with friends...

and even took home the shucks for his compost pile!

(pictures are a "re-enactment" without the people (using extra sweet corn that we didn't cook on the weekend but are having for supper tonight!) since I forgot to take pictures while they were here)

This sweet corn was so good...that in itself was worth a "celebration"!  How many of you remember the first sweet corn of the season, drenched in butter, and seeing how many ears you could eat without making yourself sick?

This corn was so perfect...nothing would do but to serve it hot and fresh on Mama's beautiful antique Flow-Blue platter.  I asked my sister if I dared to use it, because I've been so afraid I'd break it...but she agreed with me that Mama would be so pleased to know that we used it just like she did for our many family gatherings at the old home place.  And so we did... 

I love our special gatherings like this...everyone brings food so that I don't have to do all of the cooking...we usually grill chicken or something else good...and the food and fellowship are always something wonderful. I especially love how God brings the people together from all backgrounds and stages in life, and we blend together with laughter, fun stories and new friendships.
That's what our home is designed to be...a gathering place...a place to make memories...

The foyer of our home...

hopefully it spells

"Welcome"

Sometimes I forget to remind people to sign the guest book...so I go back and

write in their names so I can remember the day and who was here with us...

This beautiful magnolia blossom from our huge tree in the Secret Garden gave off the freshest lemony scent as it welcomed

our guests....

The only picture we thought to take was toward the end of the day, as my sister and I sat down to relax and have a cup of tea.  Here we are...

She had told me back when I wrote about this little "Rose-Pansy Teacup"  that the next time she came for a visit, she wanted to drink from this cute little cup.  And so she did!  We enjoyed our Lady Grey Tea, served from a delightful tea pot that I have never used before, although I have had it for many years.



Here it is:

It was ideal for our little impromptu tea for two tea party...and a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Here's some thoughts about the "Rewards of Wisdom" from King Solomon in Proverbs 3 that speak to me tonight as I reflect on this sweet time of fellowship and pleasant times with loved ones and friends...

Proverbs 3

5.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

6.  In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct your paths.

7.  Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8.  It will be health to your flesh,

and strength to your bones.

9.  Honor the Lord with your possessions,

and with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10.  So your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

13.  Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

and the man who gains understanding;

14.  For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

and her gain than fine gold.

15.  She is more precious than rubies,

and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16.  Length of days is in her right hand,

In her left hand riches and honor.

17.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

18.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

and happy are all who retain her.

I hope you've enjoyed these "Happy Reflections" from a pleasant time of fellowship.  Something I've learned  over the years from having many of these gatherings is what Proverbs 3:9-10 says:

9.  Honor the Lord with your possessions,

and with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10.  So your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

When we choose to honor the Lord with our possessions, our home, our food and friendship...God blesses us with plenty!  Our "vats overflow with new wine" so to speak, the new wine of joy, laughter, lasting friendships that have endured through time and many trials...and I want to give Him the glory and praise for these marvelous blessings.  We have truly been blessed by God...and He deserves all the praise.  Thank You, Lord, for so much "plenty".  Amen.

Wave the White Flag! I Surrender!

I wasn't going to write about this, but this was the last straw.  I have to get this off my chest somehow, and you've been elected!

Imagine this...on this lovely first day of spring evening, while standing outside in my front yard watering our little apple trees,

listening to the the birds chirping in the trees...

enjoying the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere of the forest surrounding me...

What to my wondering eyes does appear but a little white haired 92 + year old lady rushing out onto my front porch,waving something white in her hands and calling me, 

"Oh Pam, where are you? Can you come here?"  

Me, trying to determine what she is waving at me and also trying to ascertain if this is an emergency or just another moment of anxiety because I wasn't within her immediate sight at all times (even though her very capable son was right inside in the same room with her)...anyway...let me warn you this is going to get "graphic", so if you are squeamish about what little old ladies might be capable of, you'd better turn away now or be forever engulfed in ....laughter...I am sure of that...

Anyway...as I am trying to disentangle myself from the water hose and move closer to where my mother in law is hurrying across the porch (amazingly swift for a little old lady) and down the steps waving this white something in her hands, she starts hollering and waving the item of concern, yelling loudly for all the birds and rabbits and squirrels to hear: 

"I soiled my underpants! Do you want me to just throw them away, or what can we do with them?"

By this time I am not sure whether to laugh or cry or scream...because this is only the second full day of our 9 day "nanny-sitting" while her other caregivers (son & family) have taken their children off for a spring break vacation to the mountains...and the "interesting moments" of living with a dear mother in law with dementia are just getting better and better.  (FYI: We normally share the care-giving duties by caring for her Friday-Monday morning, and they have her Monday afternoon-Friday morning).

One case in point prior to the undie issue, she had been told to be sure and pack enough clothes for 9 days.  Her idea of clothes for 9 days included 4 pairs of slacks, a few pairs of undies, (and NO, she will NOT wear DEPENDS, even though the Doctor told her she needs to, and we have pleaded with her, but she says it feels like a mattress between her legs, so you know what I had to do with the white thing she was waving at me?  Yes, wash it.) and one blouse...the one she was wearing.  When I asked her if she had packed any other tops to wear, she said,

"Oh, this white one matches all my different colors of pants, and I didn't have any other ones." Me, looking at the food stains already on the white top said, "Well, maybe I can loan you another top so I can wash that one for you." She: "But, do you have one that matches all my pants? That last one you loaned me was a little large."  Me: "Well, it will have to do because I've already given you all of my smaller shirts that fit you and they are in your closet at B...'s house somewhere."

So, the one white top was washed yesterday, along with her favorite white sweater that she never takes off unless you can talk her into the fact that it really is dirty and needs to be washed so she will look clean and neat for company.  She wore my too-large white top while hers was being washed, and I convinced her to keep mine on until this morning so she would have a nice clean top to wear to our neighborhood church service here in our home.

This morning also happened to be the Sunday we celebrated the Lord's Supper, and wouldn't you know, as soon as she sipped her little cup of grape juice, she called to me from across the living room to show me that she'd dripped purple grape juice on her nice clean white shirt that I'd just washed?  So, as soon as the service was over, off came the white top, back into the bleach water, washed and dried and hung back up for tomorrow. Yes, she is wearing my, thankfully, old white top again in the meantime.  I'm not going to bother washing it every time it gets a spot on it...I mean, enough is enough...

Now, please don't judge me or tell me how fortunate I am to have her here with me.  I KNOW that beyond a shadow of a doubt....I sincerely LOVE my mother in law. I truly do not mind caring for her.  She has been a wonderful mother in law, grandmother, and mother, and I feel honored to have been her daughter in law for going on 47 years!  We've been through a lot together over the years, and I feel I owe it to her to honor her in her old age and care for her the best I can. So I am sharing these things not to complain, but to let off a little steam and hopefully give you a chuckle at the same time.
(Click on the purple links above to read previous stories about this topic).

The other "fun" thing we deal with on a regular basis is her fixation with time.  I suppose when you are almost 93 years old, time becomes very precious to you. It must be, because every five minutes she gives us a report of the current time. It usually starts in the morning with the taking of her first pill of the day just prior to getting out of bed.  If I don't deliver it to her by 7:00 a.m., she comes running out of her room and asking us "Is something wrong?" "Where is everyone?"  From there it would seem that the whole day revolves around her pill schedule. After her morning pills following breakfast we start hearing about her afternoon pills.   They are scheduled to be taken around 3:30 p.m.  Usually around noon she asks us every five minutes if it is time for her pills yet.  This afternoon I was dozing in my recliner.  At precisely 2:45 p.m. she loudly calls my name and says, "Are you sleeping?"  I said no, I was just "resting my eyes".  She says, "It's a quarter to three. It's almost time for my pills!"  I said, "I know what time it is. I won't forget your pills." She keeps agitating every five minutes and says that she hardly ever waits until 3:30 to take her pills.  I know this. We usually give in and give her the pills around 3:15 because that last half hour is not worth the constant five minute reminders.

Since I've been typing this for the past however long, she has been sitting here next to me in her recliner. She has a little analog clock in front of her that she looks at every couple of minutes and then gives us the time report.  She can no longer decipher a digital clock.  She says the digital alarm clock in her room is all crazy numbers. She cannot figure out that 6:55 is five minutes before 7:00.  I am now shopping for an analog style alarm clock that lights up to put next to her bed so she won't get out of bed early and come looking for us because she can't read the clock. (Yes, she has done that.)

Yes, caring for a loved one with dementia can be extremely challenging. I remind myself that I will probably be like this someday and I hope someone will either take such good loving care of me or else just shoot me. (well, maybe not quite that extreme, please?)  No one wants to be put in a nursing home. Take a look at one anywhere and you will see why.  But sometimes there are simply no other alternatives.  We pray that we won't ever have to make that decision for our dear one. That is why we take our turns and do our best to keep her safe and happy. However, it has been taking a toll on our families, both in health, energy, stress, and emotional frustrations.  I am happy that my brother in law and his family are able to take a vacation for spring break with their children.  My hubby and I plan to get away for a few days after they get back as well.

Thank you for allowing me this little opportunity to vent and let go of some pent up steam.  You've been good therapy for me tonight. Now it is TIME for a certain little white haired lady to head for her bed. And then it will be time for a certain not so little used to be red-headed lady to head for HER bed.

Oh, she just said to me, as she does EVERY night when she goes to bed,  "Are you gonna wake me up and give me that little pill at 7:00 o'clock in the morning?" And I said, "Now what do you think? Don't I do that EVERY morning?" And she grinned and said "Okay. I love you. I'll see you in the morning." And I said, "Okay. I love you too. See you in the morning."

And we both said:

"Good Night."

Here she is, enjoying a wonderful lunch with her family! You gotta love this dear woman.
Yes, I surrender.  I do!

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."  Deuteronomy 5:16

"She Can Laugh at the Days to Come"

"She can laugh at the days to come."

Proverbs 31:25, NIV

Quite a few years ago I attempted to write a devotional booklet for women based upon the "Proverbs 31 Woman".  You know the one...that marvelous example of womanhood that many of us would love to emulate, but all too often we sadly fall short and find ourselves thinking we can never measure up to her standards.  If you are interested in seeing some of what I did write, I'll leave a few links at the end of this post. You will quickly see what I mean about not measuring up...

Anyway, before writing this post I searched back through the things I had written from Proverbs 31, and discovered that I had written something for every verse in that chapter except for this particular verse 25.  I'm not sure why I skipped over this one. The other verses were certainly more difficult in some ways...

But let's look at the complete verse...in the New International Version it says:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

The version of the Bible that I normally read is the New King James version, and it reads this way:

"Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come."

Either way you read it, this Proverbs 31 woman has the courage (strength) and dignity to not worry about the days to come; she can actually LAUGH and REJOICE perhaps even in the face of adversity and the unknown.  Why? Because this woman has confidence in God...and she knows that no matter what, God is with her. She need not fear the future, because she knows WHO holds her future.

As most of you are aware by now, I just recently retired.  To be quite honest, it was a risky move, financially speaking.  There are many "unknowns" in my future...but there is One constant "KNOWN"...and that is the fact that God holds my future, and therefore I can enter into this season of life with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Yes, I can "laugh at the days to come"...and with every new day of this retirement I am finding more and more ways to rejoice.  Thank you, Jesus!!

My prayer today is that other "Proverbs 31" women out there will learn how to laugh at the days to come with the confidence that God is already there...no matter what.

Now, if you want to go back and read a few of my early escapades attempting to be a "Proverbs 31 Woman"... and some other examples of this remarkable woman...check these out:

"An Inauspicious Beginning";  "First Snow"; "Another Faux Pas"; "Vanity, Oh Vanity"; "Who Can Find a Virtuous Wife?"; "Getting Fit, What's the Motive?"

Thank you, Lord, for this powerful example of a Godly woman. Help me, Lord, 

to rejoice in all the days to come.

Amen.